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Darwin in letters, 1881: Old friends and new admirers
Summary
In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began writing about all the eminent men he had met. He embarked on this task, which formed an addition to his autobiography, because he had nothing else to do. He had…
Matches: 24 hits
- … In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
- … a very old man, who probably will not last much longer.’ Darwin’s biggest fear was not death, but …
- … sweetest place on this earth’. From the start of the year, Darwin had his demise on his mind. He …
- … provision for the dividing of his wealth after his death. Darwin’s gloominess was compounded by the …
- … of the false accusation’. Other friends rallied round. Francis Balfour translated Krause’s account …
- … ‘Good Lord how he will hate you’, Darwin warned Romanes on 28 January . In the end, not only the …
- … had been a major undertaking for both Darwin and his son Francis, who assisted in the many …
- … with his ‘sort of definition’ of intelligence to George Romanes. ‘I tried to observe what passed in …
- … the concrete, the absolute & the infinite’. Darwin assured Romanes, an expert on animal …
- … that every fool knows what intelligent means’. Romanes outlined the difficulty. Intelligence …
- … from those which we agree to call non-intelligent’, Romanes pointed out, and since it was impossible …
- … learnt from its own individual experience ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 7 March 1881 ). The …
- … of their behaviour were trustworthy ( letter to Francis Galton, 8 March [1881] ). Although results …
- … July, sending the pages to Germany for further checks by Francis Darwin, who was spending the summer …
- … Ruskin, who lived there. Sending the last two chapters to Francis on 27 May , Darwin wrote, …
- … to begin any new subject requiring much work’, he told Francis Darwin on 30 May . ‘I have been …
- … & to acknowledge any criticism’ ( letter to C. G. Semper, 19 July 1881 ). He continued his …
- … patted one of the Fuegians on the shoulder (l etter from B. J. Sulivan, 18 March 1881 ). …
- … , which he thought ‘an excellent Journal’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 4 July [1881] ). In these …
- … one’ and had ‘gone much out’ of his mind ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 20 June [1881] ). Feeling …
- … we had many a discussion & many a good fight’ (letters to J. D. Hooker, 6 August 1881 and …
- … so atrocious a manner on all physiologists’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 18 April 1881 ). A letter …
- … to bear the ‘wear & tear of controversy’ ( letter to G. R. Jesse, 23 April 1881 ). Later in …
- … they would be with a less intelligent man’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 1 July [1881] ). Despite …
Animals, ethics, and the progress of science
Summary
Darwin’s view on the kinship between humans and animals had important ethical implications. In Descent, he argued that some animals exhibited moral behaviour and had evolved mental powers analogous to conscience. He gave examples of cooperation, even…
Matches: 15 hits
- … Darwin’s view on the kinship between humans and animals had important ethical …
- … a live worm on a hook (‘Recollections’, pp. 358, 388). Darwin’s concern for animals aligned with …
- … and an integral part of medical and veterinary training. Darwin was clearly disturbed by the …
- … to E. R. Lankester, 22 March [1871] ). In Descent , Darwin described an animal enduring a …
- … to the last hour of his life’ ( Descent 1: 40). Darwin’s closest encounter with …
- … of different breeds together. Galton reported regularly to Darwin on the results (all negative). He …
- … Society, calling into question the theory of pangenesis. Darwin was taken aback, and swiftly replied …
- … no longer look after the rabbits (many died from the cold), Darwin offered to give the poor …
- … further cross-circulation and ‘Siamesing’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 13 September 1871 ). …
- … was sought in another set of experiments by George John Romanes. This time the creatures were plants …
- … results were promising, but inconclusive (see letter from G. J. Romanes, 14 July 1875 ). …
- … more influenced by experiments on animals than on plants’, Darwin conceded. ‘I think a large number …
- … work; & I suppose birds can be chloroformed (letter to G. J. Romanes, 27 December 1874 ). …
- … practice. ‘It seems to me’, Darwin remarked to George Romanes, ‘that physiologists are now in the …
- … To bring more solidarity to the field, Darwin’s son Francis, and a number of his close colleagues …
Darwin in letters, 1878: Movement and sleep
Summary
In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to the movements of plants. He investigated the growth pattern of roots and shoots, studying the function of specific organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of…
Matches: 12 hits
- … lessen injury to leaves from radiation In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to …
- … organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of experiments …
- … of most advanced plant laboratories in Europe. While Francis was away, Darwin delighted in …
- … from botanical research was provided by potatoes, as Darwin took up the cause of an Irish …
- … would rid Ireland of famine. Several correspondents pressed Darwin for his views on religion, …
- … closed with remarkable news of a large legacy bequeathed to Darwin by a stranger as a reward for his …
- … birthday ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 February [1878] ), Darwin reflected that it was ‘more …
- … (see Movement in plants , pp. 112–13). He explained to Francis on 2 July : ‘I go on maundering …
- … out that he missed sensitiveness of apex’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [11 May 1878] ). …
- … the bassoon & apparently more by a high than a low note.’ Francis apparently played the musical …
- … Darwin shared some of his observations with George John Romanes, who was engaged in his own research …
- … of adding a new member to society’ ( letter from G. A. Gaskell, 13 November 1878 ). Darwin hoped …
Darwin in letters, 1879: Tracing roots
Summary
Darwin spent a considerable part of 1879 in the eighteenth century. His journey back in time started when he decided to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an essay on Erasmus’s evolutionary ideas…
Matches: 20 hits
- … There are summaries of all Darwin's letters from the year 1879 on this website. The full texts …
- … 27 of the print edition of The correspondence of Charles Darwin , published by Cambridge …
- … to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an …
- … the sensitivity of the tips. Despite this breakthrough, when Darwin first mentioned the book to his …
- … 1879 ). He was also unsatisfied with his account of Erasmus Darwin, declaring, ‘My little biography …
- … W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, [after 26] July [1879] ). From July, Darwin had an additional worry: the …
- … with Charles Darwin and Ernst Haeckel. Kosmos was, as Francis Darwin reported from Germany that …
- … the children correctly’, mentioning in particular that Francis Galton was the son of one of Erasmus …
- … to contradict false statements that had been published by Francis Galton’s aunt, Mary Anne …
- … for Captain Robert FitzRoy on the Beagle voyage, Francis Beaufort of the Admiralty described the …
- … and poet’ ( Correspondence vol. 1, letter from Francis Beaufort to Robert FitzRoy, 1 September …
- … tastefully and well, and with little fatigue’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 , and …
- … perplexed than ever about life of D r . D’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 12 July [1879] ). It was …
- … to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 5 June 1879 , and letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 ). Darwin’s …
- … in plants. Over the previous two years, he and his son Francis had worked together on the …
- … scarlet oak: ‘to be planted in my honour!’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 4 November [1879] ). While in …
- … Nor did Darwin mention it when he told George Romanes on 14 September that he had seen Ruskin …
- … knowledge—observation & experiment’ ( letter from J. F. Moulton, 10 December 1879 ). In reply …
- … image of the frog be published in Nature ( letter to J. N. Lockyer, 4 and 6 March [1879] ). …
- … and his family to the Riviera for the summer ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 23 July 1879 ). Allen, who …
Darwin in letters, 1876: In the midst of life
Summary
1876 was the year in which the Darwins became grandparents for the first time. And tragically lost their daughter-in-law, Amy, who died just days after her son's birth. All the letters from 1876 are now published in volume 24 of The Correspondence…
Matches: 20 hits
- … The year 1876 started out sedately enough with Darwin working on the first draft of his book on the …
- … games. ‘I have won, hurrah, hurrah, 2795 games’, Darwin boasted; ‘my wife … poor creature, has won …
- … regarding the ailments that were so much a feature of Darwin family life. But the calm was not to …
- … the first member of the next generation of the family, with Francis and Amy’s child expected in …
- … beloved daughter-in-law and relief from his anxiety about Francis. By the end of the year there was …
- … blundering’, he cheerfully observed to Carus. ( Letter to J. V. Carus, 24 April 1876. ) …
- … Darwin reassured his close friend Joseph Hooker that he and Francis would attend the meeting. Darwin …
- … of blackballing so distinguished a zoologist ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 29 January 1876 ). Both …
- … Sanderson was keen for the society’s secretary, George Romanes, to write articles for the …
- … as hopeless as stemming a torrent with a reed’, he told Romanes on 4 June , but added, ‘Frank … …
- … Pangenesis v. perigenesis The young zoologist George Romanes was also carrying out …
- … date of 1875), Darwin must have been gratified by Romanes’s response to the heavily revised chapter …
- … results in this year’s experiments’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [ c . 19 March 1876] ). A less …
- … Encyclopaedia Britannica the previous year ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [after 4 September 1876] ). …
- … by the mutual pressure of very young buds’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 21 June [1876] ). Darwin …
- … the ‘awful job’ of informing the author ( letter to G. G. Stokes, 21 April [1876] ). Darwin could …
- … paper was ‘not worthy of being read ever’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 28 January 1876 ). Darwin …
- … ‘all I can say is do not commit suicide’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [4 June 1876] ). By midsummer, …
- … a set of sons I have, all doing wonders.’ ( Letter to G. H. Darwin, 13 July [1876]. ) A …
- … Hildebrand, 6 December 1876 , and letter from F. J. Cohn, 31 December 1876 ). To Darwin’s …
Darwin in letters, 1880: Sensitivity and worms
Summary
‘My heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old Shrewsbury friend Henry Johnson on 14 November 1880. Darwin became fully devoted to earthworms in the spring of the year, just after finishing the manuscript of…
Matches: 21 hits
- … heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old …
- … to adapt to varying conditions. The implications of Darwin’s work for the boundary between animals …
- … in zoology. New studies of animal instincts by George John Romanes drew upon Darwin’s early …
- … of evolution and creation. Many letters flowed between Darwin and his children, as he took delight …
- … Financial support for science was a recurring issue, as Darwin tried to secure a Civil List pension …
- … with Samuel Butler, prompted by the publication of Erasmus Darwin the previous year. …
- … the whole Kingdom, & even the world’ ( letter from J. L. Chester, 3 March 1880 ). Darwin’s …
- … Mr Butler whatever.’ Power of movement With Francis’s assistance, the last of Darwin’s …
- … of the nervous system, and the nature of ‘sensitivity’. Francis Balfour described Movement in …
- … ( letter from F. M. Balfour, [22 November 1880] ). George Romanes, who had worked on the nerves of …
- … Darwin try experiments with bursts of light similar to those Romanes had performed on hydromedusa: …
- … the intake of stones and flints to aid digestion. He asked Francis to check for castings on old …
- … and thus one looks to prevent its return’ ( letter from J.-H. Fabre, 18 February 1880 ). Darwin …
- … and letting them out of their respective bags ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [6, 13, or 20] March …
- … appears to be the case.’ In his reply of 6 February , Romanes clarified: ‘By ‘Love’ I intend to …
- … received more attention than the baby!’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 17 December 1880 , and …
- … rightly thought the ‘queer subject’ of interest to Francis Galton, who had already taken thumb …
- … extending the study to public-school pupils ( letter to Francis Galton, 7 April 1880 , and …
- … biologist of our time’ ( letter from W. D. Roebuck to G. H. Darwin, 25 October 1880 ). The …
- … employment’ ( Correspondence vol. 27, letter from J. D. Hooker, 18 December 1879 ). For some …
- … & am never happy except when at work’ ( letter to J. M. Herbert, 25 December [1880] ). …
Darwin in letters, 1877: Flowers and honours
Summary
Ever since the publication of Expression, Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The year 1877 was no exception. The spring and early summer were spent completing Forms of flowers, his fifth book on a botanical topic. He then turned to the…
Matches: 25 hits
- … Ever since the publication of Expression , Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The …
- … of these projects would culminate in a major publication. Darwin’s botany was increasingly a …
- … assisted his father’s research on movement and bloom, and Darwin in turn encouraged his son’s own …
- … The year 1877 was more than usually full of honours. Darwin received two elaborate photograph albums …
- … from Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Closer to home, Darwin received an honorary Doctorate of …
- … sites for possible earthworm activity. Now in his 69th year, Darwin remained remarkably productive, …
- … no controversy. In his autobiographical reflections, Darwin remarked: ‘no little discovery of …
- … (‘Recollections’, p. 419). During the winter and spring, Darwin was busy preparing the manuscript of …
- … and presented to the Linnean Society of London. In the book, Darwin adopted the more recent term …
- … as dimorphic without comparing pollen-grains & stigmas’, Darwin remarked to Joseph Dalton …
- … measurements of the size and number of pollen-grains, Darwin compared the fertility of individual …
- … In the end, Darwin did not publish on the subject, but Francis later reported some of the results of …
- … 25 August 1877 ). At Down House, Darwin and Francis devised a method of recording leaf …
- … with thread, card, and bits of glass. Encouraging Francis Darwin greatly enjoyed …
- … full paper. A disgruntled Darwin reported to George John Romanes on 23 May , ‘the Council have …
- … eminent German botanist Ferdinand Julius Cohn, who confirmed Francis’s observations: ‘the most …
- … vibratory flagella of some Infusoria’ ( letter from F. J. Cohn, 5 August 1877 ). Francis’s paper …
- … & offer himself you & me to dejeuner!!!’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 14 June 1877 ). …
- … the old story to be horsewhipped by a duke!’ ( letter to J. M. Rodwell, 3 June 1877 ). Back home, …
- … the aim of testing Darwin’s theory of pangenesis, George Romanes sent Darwin lengthy notes made some …
- … with wicked imprecations’ (Trollope 1867; letter to G. J. Romanes, [1 and 2 December 1877] ). …
- … had visited Down House and become friendly with George and Francis. He wrote to Francis on 24 …
- … up to the mark hereafter is another question’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 30 May [1877] ). In the …
- … without lying down to rest’, he explained ( letter to J. W. Clark, 12 November 1877 ). …
- … by, or could contain, any earth worms’ ( letter from J. G. Joyce, 15 November 1877 ). Even at …
Darwin in letters, 1882: Nothing too great or too small
Summary
In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and for the first time in decades he was not working on another book. He remained active in botanical research, however. Building on his recent studies in plant…
Matches: 26 hits
- … In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous …
- … for scientific colleagues or their widows facing hardship. Darwin had suffered from poor health …
- … of his scientific friends quickly organised a campaign for Darwin to have greater public recognition …
- … Botanical observation and experiment had long been Darwin’s greatest scientific pleasure. The year …
- … to Fritz Müller, 4 January 1882 ). These were topics that Darwin had been investigating for years, …
- … working at the effects of Carbonate of Ammonia on roots,’ Darwin wrote, ‘the chief result being that …
- … for some hours in a weak solution of C. of Ammonia’. Darwin’s interest in root response and the …
- … In January, Darwin corresponded with George John Romanes about new varieties of sugar cane produced …
- … ). Darwin had a long-running interest in such cases, and Romanes had made numerous attempts to …
- … & I am glad to shirk any extra labour’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 6 January 1882 ). The …
- … seeing the flowers & experimentising on them’ ( letter to J. E. Todd, 10 April 1882 ). While …
- … their burrows ( Correspondence vol. 29, letter from J. F. Simpson, 8 November 1881 ). He …
- … the summit, whence it rolls down the sides’ ( letter from J. F. Simpson, 7 January 1882 ). The …
- … on it, which would have pleased me greatly’ ( letter from J. H. Gilbert, 9 January 1882, and …
- … to have rather the best of the fight’ ( letter from G. F. Crawte, 11 March 1882 ). The battle …
- … depressed about himself’ (letter from H. E. Litchfield to G. H. Darwin, 17 March 1882 (DAR 245: 319) …
- … plagued with dull aching in the chest’ (Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, [ c . 28 March 1882] (DAR 210 …
- … pain entirely yesterday’ (letter from Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, 6 April 1882 (DAR 210.3: 46)). …
- … desires, grant us this our modest request!’ ( letter from J. L. Ambrose, 3 April 1882 ). Darwin …
- … she has cried a little’ (letter from H. E. Litchfield to G. H. Darwin, [19 April 1882] (DAR 245: 320 …
- … at an early age was encouraged by Darwin. He wrote to Francis: ‘I say nothing about the loss to …
- … a small tribute of respect’ (letter from John Lubbock to Francis Darwin, 20 April 1882 (DAR 215: 10n …
- … of ice dams causing glacial lakes was presented by Thomas Francis Jamieson in a paper to the …
- … Darwin’s views on eugenics, a term coined by his cousin Francis Galton, were mixed, partly owing to …
- … point from its graduated nature: some time ago my son, Mr G. Darwin, advocated that lunacy should at …
- … years of Darwin’s life show his increasing attachment to Francis, as father and son worked together …
Darwin in letters, 1874: A turbulent year
Summary
The year 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working on second editions of Coral reefs and Descent of man; the rest of the year was mostly devoted to further research on insectivorous plants. A…
Matches: 27 hits
- … 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working …
- … dispute over an anonymous review that attacked the work of Darwin’s son George dominated the second …
- … and traveller Alexander von Humboldt’s 105th birthday, Darwin obliged with a reflection on his debt …
- … ). The death of a Cambridge friend, Albert Way, caused Darwin’s cousin, William Darwin Fox, to …
- … from W. D. Fox, 8 May [1874] ). Such reminiscences led Darwin to the self-assessment, ‘as for one …
- … I feel very old & helpless The year started for Darwin with a week’s visit to …
- … hope.— I feel very old & helpless’ ( letter to B. J. Sulivan, 6 January [1874] ). Darwin …
- … rubbish’, he confided to Joseph Dalton Hooker ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 18 January [1874] ). …
- … allowed ‘a spirit séance’ at his home ( letter from T. G. Appleton, 2 April 1874 ). Back …
- … letter to Smith, Elder & Co., 8 January 1874 , letter to J. D. Hooker, 8 January 1874 , and …
- … for misinterpreting Darwin on this point ( letter from J. D. Dana, 21 July 1874 ); however, he did …
- … had cost twenty-four shillings.) Murray’s partner, Robert Francis Cooke, informed Darwin that the …
- … conciseness & clearness of your thought’ ( letter from G. H. Darwin, 20 April 1874 ). …
- … the spread of various mental and physical disorders (G. H. Darwin 1873b). In July 1874, an anonymous …
- … over the ‘scurrilous libel’ on his son ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [27 July 1874] ). George, …
- … scurrilous accusation of [a] lying scoundrel’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 1 August [1874] ). He …
- … with Murray on the outcome ( enclosure to letter from G. H. Darwin, 6 [August] 1874 ): …
- … direct to the Editor & it had been refused’ ( letter from G. H. Darwin, [6 or 7 August 1874] ) …
- … Mivart (see Correspondence vol. 20, letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). To Darwin …
- … whether he was the author of the review ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 14 December 1874 ). Huxley …
- … Mivart had written the article ( enclosure to letter from J. D. Hooker, 21 December 1874 ). Huxley …
- … 15 th he published that shabby rejoinder’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 24 December [1874] ). On …
- … (see G. B. Airy ed. 1881). Darwin’s third son Francis married Amy Ruck, the sister of a …
- … work on insectivorous plants. Amy drew a plant and Francis was disappointed that they seemed not to …
- … from Cornwall, but Darwin was unwell when it arrived, so Francis worked on the tiny bladders under …
- … 1874 , and Correspondence vol. 21, letter from Francis Darwin, [11 October 1873] ). …
- … Darwin’s last years. The young physiologist George John Romanes wrote a long letter to Herbert …
List of correspondents
Summary
Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. Click on a name to see the letters Darwin exchanged with that correspondent. "A child of God" (1) Abberley,…
Matches: 10 hits
- … Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. …
- … Boole, M. E. (3) Boott, Francis (7) …
- … Dareste, Camille (9) Darwin family (1) …
- … Darwin, Emma (191) Darwin, Francis (287) …
- … Everest, Robert (1) Ewbank, Francis (1) …
- … Fox, W. D. (225) Francis, George (1) …
- … Galton, Erasmus (1) Galton, Francis (118) …
- … Archibald (1) Lloyd, Francis (1) …
- … Parker, Charles (2) Parker, Francis (1) …
- … Walford, Edward (2) Walker, Francis (6) …
Darwin in letters, 1875: Pulling strings
Summary
‘I am getting sick of insectivorous plants’, Darwin confessed in January 1875. He had worked on the subject intermittently since 1859, and had been steadily engaged on a book manuscript for nine months; January also saw the conclusion of a bitter dispute…
Matches: 23 hits
- … Editions Plants always held an important place in Darwin’s theorising about species, and …
- … his periods of severe illness. Yet on 15 January 1875 , Darwin confessed to his close friend …
- … way to continuous writing and revision, activities that Darwin found less gratifying: ‘I am slaving …
- … bad.’ The process was compounded by the fact that Darwin was also revising another manuscript …
- … coloured stamens.’ At intervals during the year, Darwin was diverted from the onerous task of …
- … zoologist St George Jackson Mivart. In April and early May, Darwin was occupied with a heated …
- … chapter of the controversy involved a slanderous attack upon Darwin’s son George, in an anonymous …
- … on 12 January , breaking off all future communication. Darwin had been supported during the affair …
- … Society of London, and a secretary of the Linnean Society, Darwin’s friends had to find ways of …
- … … Poor Murray shuddered again & again’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 16 January 1875 ). Darwin …
- … Darwin had become acquainted with Klein when his son Francis was studying medicine in London. Klein …
- … further research on the effects of grafting by George John Romanes. A scientific friendship had …
- … hard at work on the rudimentary nervous system of medusae, Romanes was eager to carry out …
- … of being any further driven home by experimental work.’ Romanes bisected root vegetables and …
- … red half has become wholly white’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [before 4 November 1874] ). …
- … performed on animals in previous years by Darwin’s cousin Francis Galton. These had been …
- … manuscripts and proofs, Darwin now relied heavily on his son Francis, who had made the decision in …
- … wrote, ‘I beg ten thousand pardon & more’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [ c . February 1875?] …
- … plants , and moved on to Variation 2d ed., Francis signed himself, ‘Your affect son … the …
- … of a review of William Dwight Whitney’s work on language (G. H. Darwin 1874c). George had taken the …
- … 219.1: 89). The most eminent of Darwin’s guests was Francis, duke of Teck, a German prince …
- … Darwin could not keep up, and on 22 July , he had Francis reply: ‘My Father desires me to say …
- … he was blackballed on 2 December, the same meeting at which Romanes and Francis Darwin were made …
